Why go camping with your dog?
All styles of stays are possible
The sheer variety of pet-friendly campsites and glampsites out there makes outdoor accommodation particularly popular with dog owners.
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Want to roam wide over open spaces and windswept wildlife havens? Bring your dog along on wild camping adventures.
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Dreaming of settling down by a campfire with your four-legged friend at your feet? Keep the whole pack cosy at a fire-friendly campsite that allows dogs.
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Glamping with dogs is another excellent option, as many lodges and pods have ample room for all your pet’s favourite toys and treats. If your dog is crate-trained, sleeps in a separate space from you or has a strict bedtime routine, glamping could well be the answer.
The places you’ll go
Whenever dogs are part of the picture, you can be pretty sure that lots of fresh air and exercise will follow – a win-win for all involved. Looking to sustain healthy habits and avoid over-indulging while away? As long as your friend has enough stamina for long-distance hikes, he or she will make excellent company and provide motivation for all-day strolls through the countryside.
Keep the family together
While some dogs can cope with separation better than others, almost all would choose staying by their master’s side over being placed in a kennel and missing out on open-air adventures. By going camping with your dog you stand to save a fair amount of cash too – some sites even allow pets to stay free of charge.
Top tips for a smooth trip
The legal stuff
In many places, local bylaws require dogs to be kept under strict control at all times – whatever you do, don’t go camping with your dog until you’ve equipped yourself with a good lead.
Travelling with dogs across international borders (and between Northern Ireland and Great Britain) comes with its own rules. Typically, dogs will need a microchip, proof of a rabies vaccination and possibly evidence of a deworming treatment, although rules vary from country to country and may depend on whether you travel by land, air or sea.
Further recommendations
Even if it’s not required by law, it’s a good idea to take your dog for a check-up and get them microchipped for added peace of mind. A microchip also makes it much easier to reunite lost dogs with their owners – even the best-behaved pets can act out of character in new and unfamiliar settings, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, for a few points of etiquette, check out our article for advice on keeping dogs in your fellow-travellers’ good books.
What’s next?
Get packing
Never gone camping with a dog before? Fine-tune your packing process with our guide to tours on four paws.
Find a spot by the sea...
Hoping for dog-friendly camping holidays by the sea? Scout out suitable beaches in the surrounding area by contacting the local tourist board or consulting online beach guides and travel forums relevant to your destination.
You might also want to consider going away off-season, when many beaches have more relaxed rules about pets.
…or down on the farm
Give your dog the chance to get back to nature and interact with other animals – at a respectful distance, of course – with a fantastic pet-friendly farm stay.
Sort out food for you...
Want to leave the cooking to the professionals? Opting for a dog-friendly pub campsite could be the way forward.
...and drinks for your dog
While pitching up in a beer garden or having a pub nearby will quench humans’ thirst, dogs will prefer a constant supply of fresh water. The easiest way to keep their bowls topped up? Go for pitches with access to running water.
